Algerian girl robbed, thrown off cliff in Ella: Retired cop arrested

13 May 2025 12:08 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 64 Bookmark

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By Prasad Rukmal

Ella, May 13 (Daily Mirror) - A retired police inspector working as a taxi driver was arrested today (13) in Nuwara Eliya for allegedly drugging a 26-year-old Algerian tourist, stealing her valuables worth over Rs. 800,000, and pushing her off a precipice near Rawana Ella, police said.

The tourist, identified as Sara Arrar, arrived in Sri Lanka on May 7 and had visited Kandy before travelling to Nuwara Eliya. She later booked a van online to travel from Nuwara Eliya to Ella.

According to police, during the journey, the driver offered her a fruit drink, after which she reportedly lost consciousness.

The suspect then allegedly drove to a secluded area near Rawana Ella, took the unconscious woman out of the vehicle, pushed her into a 30-foot precipice, and fled the scene with her cash and belongings.

Despite her injuries, the tourist regained consciousness and managed to walk several kilometres to the Ella Police Station, where she filed a complaint.

She was later admitted to the Badulla Teaching Hospital for treatment.

Following the complaint, Ella Police arrested the suspect and recovered the van used in the incident along with two high-end mobile phones valued at approximately Rs. 500,000, which were allegedly stolen from the victim.

The suspect is identified as a 70-year-old retired police inspector and hired van driver, a resident of Magasthota.

The Ella Police are conducting further investigations on the instructions of Badulla District DIG Sujith Wedamulla.

Comments - 64

Lanka Tuesday, 13 May 2025 12:26 PM

This is a bad thing for our country, its name and reputation and as well for tourism industry: how could the government allow to these people to have hiring permits with this kind of bad behaviour and intention: it is shame for all taxi drivers as well : now people wouldn’t have trust to book on line any taxi : Secondly , this taxi driver misused his trust and dishonesty done this : Please take strong actions against this person so that no one will do it and our reputation and name must be cleared in this digital world otherwise no tourist will come and people must feel safe in this country to come and enjoy otherwise they will not come : Ministers must act on this case to clear our name :

6 205

Rana Tuesday, 13 May 2025 03:30 PM

There's nothing bad for the country.. crimes happen everywhere and important thing is preserving law and order. I live in Chatswood, Sydney and if u know about the level of crimes in Aussie u wont even dreaming of coming here... only difference is crimes are not the top news in aussie or any other developed country for that matter and as such people think crimes only happen in 3rd world

36 34

In Tourist Tuesday, 13 May 2025 11:30 PM

The Cop must br MRs classmate and afriend of Namal ??

11 31

Mahathun Tuesday, 13 May 2025 12:40 PM

Seems like Bandara ayya ...

56 19

Samantha Tuesday, 13 May 2025 01:23 PM

I can guarantee the way things are going it is definitely Bandare Ayya in a couple of decades... ex cop robbing people with his unpaid finance van....

30 13

Suhada malli Tuesday, 13 May 2025 12:40 PM

As a nation we have to have very severe punishment after a speedy conclusion of investigations and procecutions for such perpetrators harming foreign passport holders. Having said that we need to down play the news becoming a deterrent for tourism. Moment we bring in the retired cop part into the news it impacts the reliability of our cops as a whole. We are in a hole of our own making and now we must take measures to gradually get out of the mess. A national consensus on how to support the tourist industry etc should be promoted by all leaders.

4 91

Amda Tuesday, 13 May 2025 12:41 PM

This man has detroyed countries tourism image completely. He should be punished rigorously, immediately and the young woman should be awarded the honor of the country as she would never look back at the island.

2 134

WE WONDER HOW MANY TIMES HE HAS ASSISTED AND OR BEEN INVLOVED IN STEALING AND OR ACTING AS A STOOGE DURING HIS SERVICE. Tuesday, 13 May 2025 03:09 PM

DO WE REALLY NEED CROOKS AND SCUM ON OUR STREETS AND IN SOCIETY?. NOOOO LOCK HIM UP AND THROW AWAY THE KEYS.

1 21

Jehan Tuesday, 13 May 2025 12:58 PM

Politicians destroy this country huh? I'm sure this bs even participated in the aragalaya and asked for a "system change".

92 28

Criminolice Tuesday, 13 May 2025 01:03 PM

Old habits die hard.

2 116

Lk Tuesday, 13 May 2025 01:09 PM

We have a good reputation in the world and go and speak any foreign national in western countries or Europe or anywhere: they all love Sri Lankans : Sri Lankans are very famous for their love, kindness and affection: we indeed are blessed with soft and kind hearts unlike many other people but some crook like this damages our names and reputation: Please know our next biggest revues is going to be from tourism and its related industries: please don’t damage that with this kind of activity and action : 99.99 people are good people in Sri Lanka but we have some bad apples as well : it is for police and government to educate these people on this matter : we are competing many nations for tourism so don’t damage that :

17 62

You are spont on Tuesday, 13 May 2025 06:39 PM

True 99.9999 people are good in SL. The rest are horrible. That's nearly 100%.

18 6

Bande Tuesday, 13 May 2025 01:26 PM

Please have mechanism to regulate all online businesses. This is a clear example how they robbed innocent people. If you take online food delivery business sometimes you never get it after paying. In some instances you get half consumed food or completely different items . Any online businesses should regulate by GOvt..by bringing in new laws.

4 57

Dr. Dee esquire Tuesday, 13 May 2025 01:29 PM

Must be from the desk and bench ‘national security’ brigade!. What a shame? Pathetic. Next some clown will be blaming the past several decades governments for this incident.

82 28

Dr Sajith Supporter Tuesday, 13 May 2025 01:39 PM

I agree with you, Dr Pacha Tissa Fernando.

8 57

Dr Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 13 May 2025 07:59 PM

@Dr Sajith Supporter, the most stupid . Sajith will never be able to come to power as long as Pachanayake is in power.

14 5

Thank the Lord, she lived to tell the tale Tuesday, 13 May 2025 04:34 PM

definitely was in employment during the corrupt govt/s rule and not not have his nest feathered, so resorting to stealing and what more pushed her off a cliff.

1 6

Dr Vincent Batalanda Wednesday, 14 May 2025 02:41 AM

@Dr Pacha Tissa Fernando, I agree with you.

0 5

sjb supporter Tuesday, 13 May 2025 04:36 PM

Sure has the direction of phacha Tissa!!!

1 5

Nalin Fernando Tuesday, 13 May 2025 01:53 PM

This is very bad for the tourist industry. People who are engaged in this field should remember such bad action have legs and the reputation of the country will suffer. Various initiatives are taken to reap the best benefits from this business stream. Shortsighted quick enticements are detrimental. Pl use your discretion towards a larger purpose.

1 22

Desha Bindu Tuesday, 13 May 2025 02:10 PM

Culprit wanted to kill her? something else happened.

2 34

Mohan Tuesday, 13 May 2025 02:29 PM

Didn't her parents teach her not to accept food or drink offered by total strangers?

79 20

Gon Thakayaa Tuesday, 13 May 2025 03:18 PM

A Thomson analysis

0 13

M Fernando Tuesday, 13 May 2025 06:29 PM

Well Done @Mohan ! - blaming the victim is ALWAYS the way to go ! The scum who helped her off the 10-meter cliff is blameless, right ?

0 14

Shivaraj Tuesday, 13 May 2025 06:48 PM

Sri Lanka was recently described as da most friendliest nation, as such who is da wildest dreams wuld hv thought da driver had other ideas. If no speedy action taken, it wil another case of thrown under da carpet. As da saying goes; 'justice delayed is justice denied'. V da people r so indiscipline

0 5

Mohan Needs a Brain Tuesday, 13 May 2025 07:13 PM

Didn't his Sri Lankan mother teach him not to deceive, kill and rob?

1 15

Concern Being Wednesday, 14 May 2025 12:12 PM

There you go with the victim blaming, I feel bad for the women in your family, you gonna do the same when something happened! shame on you Mohan.

0 4

Safe Travel Tuesday, 13 May 2025 02:40 PM

So much for the Safest Destination for Solo Female Travellers. If a retired police officer does this what can you expect from regular drivers. This man left her for dead. If it weren't for the fact she survived a ten-metre fall no one would know what happened to her.

2 82

Rip Winkle Tuesday, 13 May 2025 02:46 PM

Why hide his identity? Name him and shame him. Make an example of him to others like him.

0 16

Nalin Tuesday, 13 May 2025 02:46 PM

The government must take action to stop corruption which is still continuing on a large scale. Also court cases should be expedited. In this case the accused is 70 years and when will the case end???

0 10

M Fernando Tuesday, 13 May 2025 03:06 PM

Visit Sri Lanka 2025 ! Sample the natural wonders up-close, experience the true meaning of Gravity courtesy of our friendly people and try out our hospitals !!

0 8

Aquarius Tuesday, 13 May 2025 03:10 PM

This is simply disgusting and the man should be dealt severely. The tourist Ministry should take this very seriously as our tourism industry will have a bad reputation.

0 9

Lawry Tuesday, 13 May 2025 03:15 PM

How does a retired man of 70 get licence to drive for commercial purposes. Tour guide examination cannot be done by a person above 40 years. Retirment age in SL is 60 years. This 70 years old could also be unfit to drive. What are the regulations. He is a malicious murderer. He has damaged the country's and police force's reputation. Give him death sentence.

0 11

maha Tuesday, 13 May 2025 03:25 PM

This is attempted murder the innocent girl, the Law enforcement authority should act on ..

0 12

Joseph Terrence Tuesday, 13 May 2025 03:30 PM

I recently went to Puttalam from Colombo by a bus on which there was a tourist couple. The tourists, half way through requested the conductor to to stop the bus near a particular place only for a few minutes to take a selfie. The conductor explained to the passengers and no one objected. After about 5 minutes the tourists returned and thanked the passengers. At Puttalam bus station, when they were getting off the bus they offered a certain amount of money to the driver and conductor but they were reluctant to accept the money. The tourists told them that the money was a monitory gift for the nice service. After they got off the bus, I smiled at them. They made a passing mention to me that people are very nice in this country. We need more tourists here to improve our economy. The retired cop should be punished without talking his age into consideration.

0 15

Mfb Tuesday, 13 May 2025 03:37 PM

The suspect will be released on bail and chapter close. Government getting income from the bailout.

0 4

Grace Tuesday, 13 May 2025 03:58 PM

Old habits die hard. Those who got used to earn money through wrong means can't resist the temptation to do so even in their declining years

1 9

M Fernando Wednesday, 14 May 2025 06:05 AM

You mean helping tourists off vertical cliffs is a normal money earning activity in Sri Lanka ? Who knew !!

1 3

Ram P Tuesday, 13 May 2025 04:30 PM

For foreigners and we locals it is always good to book hire vehicles online or by phone as in the event of any incident it is easy to trace

0 5

Riyazi Tuesday, 13 May 2025 04:55 PM

This is enough to destroy the the best tourist destination image built up.by years of best hospitality...that cab driver will be back in the society after few days behind the bars....again he will be cheating around...as a good punishment cancel his drivers license and his police pension...

0 7

Dr Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 13 May 2025 05:05 PM

Everyday the country situation is going from bad to worse with 88 89 style acts popping up everywhere and these guys are doing crimes without any fear now. That means they have so much confidence that they will be looked after by their comrades. The same with road accidents, specially the Bus drivers are flying on the roads because they know that their Comrade is the Transport minister and nothing will happen for them gor erratic driving. Very soon a crime and accident free day will be very rare. Stupid Dr Sajith Supporter will agree with this .

28 6

Dr. Dee esquire Tuesday, 13 May 2025 05:06 PM

No one is safe in Sri Lanka anymore! So much for the desk and bench ‘National Security’ !

17 3

Dr Vincent Batalanda Wednesday, 14 May 2025 02:49 AM

I agree

1 5

Concern Being Tuesday, 13 May 2025 05:25 PM

70 year old jerk, His punishment should be a lesson for the upcoming jerks.

0 6

Severe punishment for his 70 years Wednesday, 14 May 2025 04:30 AM

Just imagine what a terror he would have been in his job in his young age! Now his bones are are creaking and he dared to throw a woman down the cliff? Let us hope the present policemen to not show any sympathy for their past buddy. He should be severely punished for the very reason he is 70 years.

0 5

Spectator2025 Tuesday, 13 May 2025 05:53 PM

God saved the life of this young woman who would have been impressed with all the nice things she had learnt about this beautiful country. Pathetic for a retired Police Officer to do such an inhuman deed. Detrimental for the country's image. Police should handle this without much publicity, but give this murderer a life term sentence. Let him rot in jail.

16 8

Agnostic Wednesday, 14 May 2025 02:48 AM

She saved herself. It was just chance the culprit didn't kill her before pushing her down the precipice.

0 7

Patriot Tuesday, 13 May 2025 05:55 PM

Tourism minister viji is busy trying to replace booking com with local solution.

5 5

A Tuesday, 13 May 2025 06:05 PM

Mohan are u dumb

0 2

Concern Being Wednesday, 14 May 2025 04:12 PM

There is no need of a question, Mohan is a Dumb.

0 0

ranjit senanayake Tuesday, 13 May 2025 06:05 PM

this police officer may have done bad things in the past as a police officer.now karma has caught up with him.being 70yrs old he will face death in jail. Karma has ultimately punished him.sad for the victim.

0 5

F.A.Gnani Tuesday, 13 May 2025 06:13 PM

This is not the first time that that robbery, assault, rape etc of tourists has happened.. What is dastardly is that it was committed by a retired police inspector. Imagine what he would have done while in service under the cover of the uniform.

0 25

Gt Tuesday, 13 May 2025 06:19 PM

What must he of been like when he was a cop, how many more lunatics are still in the police force, thourugh checks should be made before allowing people any training or to hold authority of others, what did he do when he had a gun

0 7

Cassie Tuesday, 13 May 2025 07:01 PM

Wow thank God she didn't die and she was able to walk all that way to the police station. Sri Lanka can forget about tourism. Best to go back to tea rubber coconut and rice export.

7 5

ranjit Senanayake Tuesday, 13 May 2025 07:17 PM

police have a bad reputation in sri lanka.this inspector would have been upto this type of activity,now he is caught.this is karma in action. just imagine going to jail at 70yrs old with only death in jail to look forward to.karma acts slowly but surely.sad for the victim

0 11

Guppi Tuesday, 13 May 2025 08:06 PM

Drop this guy from a helicopter to the sea. There is an arms hide out in the sky.

0 3

Che Tuesday, 13 May 2025 08:12 PM

A death penalty ..!

0 4

Anuradha Tuesday, 13 May 2025 09:04 PM

METE OUT THE HARSHEST POSSIBLE JAIL TERM. THIS GUY JUST WIPED OUT US $ 100 MILLION IN LOST TOURISM REVENUE.

0 3

manik Tuesday, 13 May 2025 09:42 PM

he should be jailed for life with heavy labour for criminal offence of attempted murder

0 6

gnatius Wednesday, 14 May 2025 03:10 AM

Happens all over the world. Good job to arrest him. Now, give him the sentence he deserves. Also, make it severe since he is an Ex COP

2 3

Ruz vegga Wednesday, 14 May 2025 07:36 AM

Dirty police officer most are criminals in many ways....extremely bad for tourism and for majority who are doing the right thing heavy punishment should be given never to be repeated.....

0 3

Travis Wednesday, 14 May 2025 11:20 AM

All taxis rented vehicles should have taxi number plate and registered in the RNB as a taxi. This problem is because any time a privet vehicle can be a taxi no safety no identification of driver. This has to stop . This is bad situation what happened and we are sorry to the lady and hope ur doing fine.

0 0

Paul Cole Wednesday, 14 May 2025 12:50 PM

hora police !!!!

1 0

Wagner Saturday, 17 May 2025 09:53 AM

Old habits die hard

0 3

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